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Fort Drum’s Col. Terrence Roche Named to Senate Veterans Hall of Fame

Col. Terrence Roche, the ex-Garrison Commander who oversaw the dramatic growth of Fort Drum from a small training facility into a premier Army post—and the region’s largest local employer—was inducted into the New York State Senate “Veterans Hall of Fame” at a special ceremony held Tuesday at the Capitol.

Col. Roche was selected from among 29 nominees from Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties as Senator Patty Ritchie’s inductee. To read more about Col. Roche and this year's other inductees, click here.

“Fort Drum is a very important part of the North Country and the entire state,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Col. Roche represents Fort Drum—it’s soldiers, their families, the sacrifice, and the post itself for the tremendous impact it has on the region’s economy.For these reasons, it was truly an honor to be able to nominate Col. Roche for induction into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.”

Col. Roche is a 26-year military veteran who commanded at every level from platoon to Garrison Commander at posts from Buffalo to Paris and Korea, with wartime service in Vietnam.

As Fort Drum’s leader when the announcement was made in 1984 that Fort Drum would be home to the 10th Mountain Division, Col. Roche was instrumental in the planning and initial execution of the$1.2 billion construction project and the rapid expansion of the installation.

Today, Col. Roche continues to make significant contributions to the success of Fort Drum through the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization—which he helped create—as well as a number of other organizations, civic groups and other efforts.

The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. Each state senator can select one veteran per year from his or her district for induction into the Hall of Fame.Last year, Col. Michael Plummer was selected for the special honor, and in 2011, Oswego County Battle of the Bulge veterans were inducted.

To read more about Col. Roche, and this year's other nominees, click here.